Speaking before Australia's final group stage match at the Asian Cup, midfielder Aiden O’Neill was quick to remind everyone the goal within the squad.
He started his press conference by saying: “It's very clear that we're here to do a job and that job is to win the Asia Cup.”
O’Neill said he and the squad are expecting the Uzbekistan match to be more open than the Socceroos’ previous two at the tournament.
“I think they will potentially come at us a bit more, you've seen in the last two games, both teams sitting in and we've been breaking them down and getting the results that way,” he said.
“But I would expect the next game to be a bit more open, which I think will also suit us.”
He said that training will focus on the task ahead for the final group game, but the team is confident that their style of play can hurt Uzbekistan.
“I would expect them to try press us a bit higher, but again, I think if they if they do that the way that we play, I think we could hurt them and open them up quite a bit,” he said.
Touching on the squad rotation that is expected for the Uzbekistan match, O’Neill said competition for places is healthy.
“I think competition in the squad is really good, it’s really healthy and that's what brings the best out of each other,” he said.
“We're really enjoying that competition and like I said, it's bringing the best out of each other.”
For O’Neill this is his first international tournament representing the Socceroos and he is loving the experience so far.
“It's a dream come true to be at my first international competition with the Socceroos, and to be honest, I'm enjoying every moment of it,” he said.
“Every day waking up and really enjoying myself and we're training hard as well and putting in the work, so we get the success that we want.”
Even though he reiterated the goal of winning the Asian Cup, O’Neill also added it is a one game at a time mentality for the players.
“We're taking it one game at a time and ticking every box as it comes in and that's our mentality, we take it game by game.”
SUBWAY SOCCEROOS AFC ASIAN CUP QATAR 2023™ FIXTURES (GROUP B):
Australia v Uzbekistan
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Al Janoub Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: 2:30pm local (10:30pm AEDT)
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Every AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 match will be live on Paramount+